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HOLIDAY IN GREECE?A tempting idea, but if you are an
animal lover.....
Poisoning of stray, and owned, dogs and cats is widespread throughout Greece and it occurs on a daily basis. Those responsible for spreading around poisoned bait are rarely caught in the act and usually the bodies of their victims are picked up by garbage collectors in the early hours of the morning. The poisoning is often excused as a necessary and cheap clearing up operation of the large numbers of stray dogs and cats which are seen as a problem. Some people fear the strays would ‘spread disease’, others consider them a nuisance, especially when their numbers increase.
Sterilisation is not common for household companion animals, because it is regarded as a negative intervention in the animals’ nature, but their owners refuse to take responsibility for the unwanted litters of puppies and kittens, which are usually abandoned. In short, many people seem to view poisoning as a ‘fact of life’. The poison used can be anything from strychnine and rat poison to farm pesticides and herbicides; even crushed glass. When The Tourists LeaveThe average life-span of a stray dog in Greece is less than two years, as most of them perish during the winter months, if not shortly after the holiday season comes to an end. The last charter flights depart from the islands at the end of October, by which time most of the hotels and tavernas have closed down for the winter. The strays, so dependent on the tourists for food during the summer, are left to fend for themselves, not knowing where their next meal would be coming from - poisoned bait may be their last morsel, if they are not shot, or hit by a car, or hanged first.
Millions of tourists from all over the world visit Greece every year and many are shocked by the sights of animals in distress. They often befriend and feed the strays, who are generally very friendly and loving - they just want to 'belong' and they try very hard to find somebody to adopt them - the lucky few succeed. You Too Could Adopt A Greek Stray
and give them a chance of a happy and secure future The Killing Must StopEven rampant poisoning is not recognised as an official problem! There are hardly any reports made to the police. And despite their anger and sorrow, the somewhat cynical and lax response from the owners of animals poisoned to death shows that they do not trust the judicial system; some even fear it. So it appears that poisoning will long remain acceptable within the Greek culture, as long as the authorities themselves show total indifference to the problem.
Animal Protection LawsGreece has adequate animal protection laws, but in general, they are not enforced! We can all try to ensure that they are enforced whenever possible. If you happen to witness a cruelty case, please report it to the police and the municipalities - which bear the responsibility for the stray animals. Article 2 of Greek law 1197 states, "Whoever kills, harasses, or ill-treats animals covered by the present legislation, or abandons them, is punishable by article 8 of the present penal code."
How You Can HelpThe information in this article has been prepared by a coalition of animal welfare groups throughout Greece and supporting foreign organisations. The purpose is to draw attention to the country’s appalling animal welfare problems and to ask for your help. Tourism is Greece’s number one industry and the authorities will pay attention to the complaints registered by foreign visitors. With your help, the authorities in Greece can hopefully be persuaded to adopt a humane ‘stray control’ policy, by implementing widespread neutering programmes.
Please help by writing to:
to urge positive action in resolving Greece’s
animal welfare problems.
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skin
& bones
terrible sores inflicted by a chain